I’ve been watching community energy projects evolve for years, and one development that keeps catching my attention is community-owned batteries. These systems are more than a technical novelty — they’re practical tools councils can use to shave energy costs, stabilise local grids, and create revenue streams for green projects. In this piece I want to unpack how they work, what councils...
Over the past few years I've had countless conversations with homeowners debating whether to switch from gas or oil...
I’ve been following home energy technology for years, and one question I get more than any other is: how much can a...
When I moved into a Victorian terraced house a few years ago, I quickly realised that charm often comes with a hefty...
I’ve been following community solar projects for years, and every time I talk to homeowners or tenants the same...
Upgrading to a hybrid heat pump and gas boiler system can feel like a big step — and rightly so. I recently went...
I’ve been following household energy choices for years, and one trend I keep returning to is the steady move by UK...
When I moved into a Victorian terraced house a few years ago, I quickly realised that charm often comes with a hefty energy bill and a sizeable carbon footprint. These homes are beautiful, but their solid brick walls, single-glazed sash windows and often-draughty chimneys make them inefficient by...
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I’ve been following community solar projects for years, and every time I talk to homeowners or tenants the same questions pop up: can community solar actually cut my household bills? Who truly benefits — the subscribers, developers, or utilities? In this article I’ll walk you through how...
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Upgrading to a hybrid heat pump and gas boiler system can feel like a big step — and rightly so. I recently went through this process for my own home, and I learned that the key to a successful install isn’t just the equipment: it’s the conversation you have with your installer before any...
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I’ve been following household energy choices for years, and one trend I keep returning to is the steady move by UK homeowners away from pure gas boilers towards hybrid heat pump systems. I’ve spoken with installers, read case studies, and seen the data that explain why many people are making...
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Renting shouldn't mean resigning yourself to high energy bills and chilly rooms. Over the years I've negotiated numerous energy-efficient retrofits with landlords — from simple LED upgrades to cavity wall insulation and heat pump installations — and I want to share what worked, what didn't, and...
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After a decade behind the wheel, what actually happens to an EV battery is a question I get asked all the time. People imagine drama — cars stranded on the roadside, batteries melting down, or, on the flip side, perfectly healthy packs languishing in scrapyards. The reality sits somewhere in...
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I’ve spent years covering energy transitions and working with neighbourhood groups, and one thing keeps coming up: community energy tariffs are a practical, often-underused tool that can both lower household bills and channel revenue into local renewables. In this piece I’ll walk you through...
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I’ve worked with dozens of UK homes considering a heat pump retrofit, and the same questions always come up: “Is my house suitable? How invasive will it be? What should I sort out before the installer comes?” Below I’ve put together a practical, hands-on checklist to help you figure out...
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I’ve been testing smart thermostats for years in my own home and following real-world trials across the UK and Europe, and one question keeps coming up: can devices like Nest and Hive really cut your heating bills by 30%? The short answer is: sometimes
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I’ve long been fascinated by how small, local projects can ripple into broader change. Turning vacant lots into neighborhood microgrids powered by solar and battery storage is one of those high-impact, scalable ideas. It’s practical, visible, and—crucially—anchored in community needs. Below...
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